What happens at Crown Court?

In England and Wales, serious criminal law matters will proceed to the Crown Court for trial. While cases will usually begin in the Magistrates’ Court, they will be passed on to the Crown Court where the matter at hand requires a trial by jury.

In Brief

The Crown Court in England and Wales handles the most serious criminal offences, including indictable-only and either-way offences that are too complex for the Magistrates' Court. Unlike the Magistrates' Court, Crown Court trials are presided over by a Judge (who decides on law and sentencing) and a Jury of 12 (who decide the verdict). Cases typically progress from an initial plea hearing to a full trial and, if necessary, a sentencing hearing.

• Trial Stages: A standard trial involves the prosecution opening the case, witness testimony (including cross-examination), the defence case, closing statements, the judge’s summary, and jury deliberation.

• Sentencing & Reductions: Pleading guilty early (at the Magistrates' Court or first Crown Court appearance) can reduce a sentence by up to one third. Later pleas result in smaller reductions, down to one-tenth if entered on the first day of trial.

• The "Warned List": Many cases are placed on a "warned list," meaning they are backups that can be called to start at short notice (often within 24 hours) if other trials conclude early or are adjourned.

• Legal Support: Defendants are represented by Crown Court Advocates (Solicitors or Barristers). Firms like JD Spicer Zeb provide specialist in-house advocates and access to leading Kings Counsel (KC) for high-stakes cases.

• Public Access: Most Crown Court proceedings are open to the public and can be viewed from the public gallery, reflecting the principle of open justice.

Alternatively, where a defendant pleads guilty to an either-way offence in the Magistrates’ Court, the matter my be committed to the Crown Court for sentencing where the Magistrates feel their sentencing powers are insufficient.

If you are due to attend a Crown Court hearing, you may have reasonable reservations about the process and what it is likely to involve. Even if you broadly understand the Crown Court procedure, it is still important that you know exactly what to expect.

In this post, we discuss what typically happens at the Crown Court, including the various Crown Court trial stages that are likely to take place, what actions can be taken in the Crown Court, and what will happen after proceedings conclude.

What is the Crown Court?

The Crown Court handles the most serious criminal offences. More specifically, it will hear cases which have been sent for trial by the Magistrates’ Court, or cases that can only be heard in the Crown Court due to the nature of the offence.

Crown Court cases will include ‘either-way’ offences and ‘indictable only’ offences. Either-way offences will first be heard in the Magistrates’ Court, and if it is deemed too serious or complex, or a defendant requests for the case to be heard in front of a jury, it can be senton to the Crown Court.

Indictable only offences are exclusively heard in the Crown Court. They are the most serious criminal offences.

The Crown Court will also deal with sentencing for defendants who have been convicted in the Magistrates’ Court for a serious offence where the Magistrates’ Court sentencing powers are insufficient, as well as hearing any appeals against decisions made in the Magistrates.

What cases go to the Crown Court?

As mentioned above, only serious criminal offences will result in a Crown Court trial taking place. This includes, but is certainly not limited to, offences such as:

• Assault
• GBH
• Rape
• Sexual offences
• Indecent imagery
• Murder
• Manslaughter
• Drug offences
• Burglary
• Armed robbery
• Fraud and money laundering
• Terrorism
• Firearms offences

What happens at a plea hearing in the Crown Court?

The standard Crown Court procedure will see a plea hearing take place from the outset of the case. The Crown Court plea hearing is relatively straightforward, with the defendant being expected to enter a plea to the charges against them.

During the initial Crown Court hearing, if the defendant pleads not guilty, the court then proceeds to take the case to trial. Dates for the Crown Court trial and any other relevant planning matters will then be decided, and directions are set for service of evidence and any legal arguments.

Reduction in Sentence for a Guilty Plea

In summary, where a guilty plea is indicated at the first stage of proceedings, a defendant will receive a reduction of one third to their sentence. Where a guilty plea is indicated after the first stage of proceedings, the maximum reduction is one quarter. If a defendant pleads guilty on the first day of trial, they are entitled to a reduction of one tenth.

1. How does a reduction work for an indictable only offence?

A defendant cannot enter a plea before the Magistrates’ Court for an indictable only offence. However, the Magistrates’ Court will ask the defendant to indicate a plea at their first appearance. The indication must be unequivocal, meaning it must be clear and leave no doubt. Where a guilty plea is indicated at the Magistrates’ Court and at the first Crown Court hearing, a reduction of one third should be made.

2. How are these guidelines applied to an either-way offence?

A defendant will be asked to indicate a plea at their first appearance in the Magistrates’ Court. If a guilty plea is indicated and the Magistrates are of the view that their sentencing powers are sufficient, meaning the case will remain in the Magistrates’ Court for sentencing, defendants are entitled to a reduction of one third to their sentence. If the Magistrates consider their sentencing powers are insufficient, the case will be committed to the Crown Court for sentence, and the defendant will still be entitled to a reduction of one third.

There are some exceptions where reductions for a guilty plea do not apply, such as for certain firearms offences, the ‘three strike rule’ for domestic burglary, and a third instance of class A drug trafficking.

For more information as to guilty pleas and reductions, please visit our website: /site/our-services/criminal-law-solicitors/should-you-ever-plea-guilty-in-court/reduction-in-sentence-for-a-guilty-plea/

What is the warned list in the Crown Court?

Part of the Crown Court trial process will involve what is known as a ‘warned list’. A Crown Court warned list is a list of backup cases that can be used if another trial does not go ahead for any reason.

When a Crown Court case is added to the warned list, it can be called on at any time during a set period, if required. Usually, this ‘warned period’ is a two- or three-week timeframe, but this can vary between different courts.

If a Crown Court case is called up from the warned list, the defendant in the trial will receive notice that the trial will begin the day before it is due to commence, meaning the defendant in a Crown Court must be available for the two-week period.

How does the Crown Court trial process work?

During Crown Court trial proceedings, the defendant in the case will be represented by either a criminal defence solicitor or barrister. On the other side, the prosecution will be represented by an ‘advocate’. A jury of 12 individuals will also be selected to oversee the case.

Once sworn in, the jury will be informed of the details of the case by the prosecutor. Prosecution witnesses will be called to provide evidence, and can be cross-examined by the defence team. Once this evidence is heard, the defendant is then heard, followed by defence witnesses.

Both sides will make their closing statements once all evidence has been presented, the judge will summarise the evidence and then inform the jury of the relevant laws that will be applied related to the charges.

After this, the jury deliberate over the evidence and will make a decision as to whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty.

What happens at sentencing in the Crown Court?

If, following the Crown Court trial process, the jury rules that a defendant is not guilty, they will be discharged, and the case will come to an end. On the contrary, if they are found to be guilty, the next steps will vary depending on the circumstances.

The Crown Court can either provide an immediate sentencing decision, or proceedings may be adjourned to prepare additional reports. If a case is adjourned, the defendant will return to the Crown Court at a later date to receive their sentence.

How long does sentencing take in the Crown Court?

As mentioned above, the time it takes for sentencing to take place in the Crown Court will depend on whether or not it is possible to make a decision on the same day. In some cases, the case may adjourned for a few weeks while a full assessment is made.

How much does a Crown Court trial cost?

The cost of representation for a Crown Court trial varies. This is something our criminal defence solicitors can advise you on further during a consultation. We will be able to help you apply for legal aid, or work with you on a privately funded basis – whichever is best for your personal circumstances.

Who decides the verdict in a Crown Court?

The Crown Court trial process dictates that the jury will have the final say on whether a defendant is guilty or not guilty. The judge will then decide on the sentence that should be imposed if the jury returns a guilty verdict.

Can the public attend Crown Court?

In the vast majority of cases, it is possible to watch Crown Court proceedings from a public gallery. Public galleries tend to be located at the back of each court room.

Submission of no case to answer

Where the prosecution case is evidentially weak, either because there is no evidence to prove the offence or, although there is some evidence, the evidence is insufficient to support a conviction, the defence may make a submission of no case to answer. In the Crown Court, this is an application made to the judge to dismiss the case because there is no case for the defendant to answer. A successful submission will result in a Not Guilty verdict.  A submission of no case to answer is ypiclly made by the Defence, although the judge can decide that there is no case to answer of their own initiative, but they must allow the prosecution an opportunity to make submissions in response.

a judge decide if there is no case to answer?

In the Crown Court, the judge will decide on whether there is no case to answer based on whether a jury could properly convict on the evidence. The test in the Criminal Procedure Rules states that ‘the prosecution evidence is insufficient for any reasonable court properly to convict’ (CPR part 25, rule 25.9(2)(e)).

Pre-sentence Report

If a defendant pleads guilty to a criminal offence, the court may request that a Pre-Sentence Report (PSR) to be prepared. The purpose of a PSR is to provide the court with a balanced picture of who the defendant is before passing sentence.  The probation service is completely impartial and have no association with the police or other authorities. Furthermore, a PSR can often be very beneficial.

A PSR is a document written by a probation officer following an interview with the defendant. The report should be impartial and will provide the court with information about the defendant including their background, family, education, career, and any responsibilities they may have. It should provide the court with some understanding as to what led the defendant to commit the offence, and how they feel about it now, for example, if they feel remorse. A PSR will suggest the most appropriate sentence for the committed offence and make recommendations to the sentencing court. The court does not have to follow any recommendations made, but it is helpful to have this impartial report to work with.

Private funding

If you are seeking an enhanced private service for the best chance of obtaining a successful outcome, contact the Senior Partners Umar Zeb/Lisa Nicol or James O'donnell Contact us.

https://www.jdspicer.co.uk/site/our-fees/private-fees/

Transferring legal aid

Where you have received a Representation Order (a.k.a. ‘legal aid’) to cover the cost of your criminal defence, you may be able to transfer this to a new solicitor, but it will depend on the reason why you need to change solicitor.

Please follow this link for more information: /site/our-services/criminal-law-solicitors/can-i-change-my-solicitor/#transfer_legal_aid

What should you do if you are facing Crown Court proceedings?

If you are due to attend Crown Court, it is absolutely essential that you have the right legal advice and representation on your side from the outset. The potential consequences of a guilty verdict at Crown Court can be very serious, particularly as the corresponding sentences for many either way and indictable only offences can include lengthy periods of imprisonment.

The intervention of an experienced criminal defence solicitor at this stage can often be the deciding factor when it comes to avoiding a conviction, or having a sentence reduced.

At JD Spicer Zeb, our criminal defence solicitors frequently attend the Crown Court to support clients facing all types of charges. We are therefore well versed with the ins and outs of the Crown Court procedure and will be in the best possible position to provide you with the support you need.

We often hear from clients who are initially hesitant to speak to a criminal defence solicitor for fear that will signify their guilt. This is not at all accurate. In fact, failing to instruct a specialist criminal defence solicitor is only ever likely to count against you when a Crown Court trial begins.

Our department is supported by a strong team of in-house Crown Court advocates who will be on hand to provide tailored advice and representation for a wide range of cases. We also have access to some of the UK’s leading Barristers and Kings Counsel.

Contact our Crown Court solicitors today

For urgent specialist advice, immediate representation or to speak to us confidentially about the Crown Court procedure, or Crown Court trial stages, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated team of specialist Crown Court solicitors in London, Birmingham or Manchester on telephone:

• Brent & Camden London Office: 020 7624 7771
• Manchester Office: 0161 835 1638
• Birmingham Office: 0121 614 3333
• City of London: 0207 624 7771 - our senior Solicitors and Partners can meet by appointment in the City.

Or email: solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk

Alternatively, you can fill out our quick online enquiry form for advice about the Crown Court trial process and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

24/7 legal representation for criminal offences

For immediate representation and advice about the Crown Court procedures, you can contact our Emergency Number: 07836 577 556, and we will provide you with the urgent assistance you need.